In my Ugliness

⏰ Chapter 72 ⏰

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

It took the grace of God and the spirit of Valentine to get me to post today. The vote has been discouraging but it's well. 😂

⏰ Chapter 72 ⏰

Unedited

4:16 am

Kilahi yawned and stretched in her sleep, her limbs heavy with the lingering exhaustion of the previous day's celebrations. Her eyelids fluttered open. The sight that greeted her made her heart race; Gbadamosi was sleeping beside her. A gasp nearly escaped her lips, she almost screamed, she was expecting to see Sewuese sleeping close to her but then the memories of the previous day flooded back.

She was married. Married to Gbadamosi!

A wave of apprehension washed over her. She cautiously moved, her hand brushing the fabric of her gown, still clinging to her body. It was then that she noticed. Nothing had happened. She was still fully dressed, untouched. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over her - relief and a strange, unexpected disappointment simmered within her. She must have simply succumbed to fatigue, the whirlwind of emotions and expectations finally claiming her.

Glancing at the digital watch on the bedside table, she noted the time: 4:16 AM. She had just 34 minutes until her prayer time, and after that, one of the responsibilities of a wife would truly begin: preparing Gbadamosi's meal, ensuring he was ready for church.

A pang of guilt struck her. She had envisioned this first morning so differently. Still waking up a virgin wasn't part of it!

She has heard and read stories of the stereotypes who would refuse succumbing out of fear and pain. She didn't want to be that type!

Guilt kept gnawing at her. She bit her lip, eyes squeezed shut, trying to dispel the feeling. Taking a deep breath, she leaned over and gently nudged him. "Hey Choicest," She whispered lightly, "Choicest," She repeated.

He stirred, his eyes fluttering open, the sleepiness in them melting away as he focused on her. "Hey," He murmured rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Good morning, love." He echoed.

"Good morning." She replied, "Um... this is going to sound ridiculous, but when I woke up, for a second, I thought it was one of those vivid dreams I've been having all week. I almost screamed when I saw you lying next to me. I was expecting...Sewuese."

Gbadamosi chuckled, a warm, genuine sound. "But instead, you found a handsome man gracing your marital bed."

Kilahi laughed,"Even at this ungodly hour, your pride precedes you." She gently nudged him with her elbow and they both laughed.

"I woke up feeling so uncomfortable, realizing that I was still dressed, and..." She trailed off, self-consciously smoothing the fabric of her gown. She cleared her throat, trying to find the right words.

"You're still dressed, and nothing happened yesterday," He finished for her, his tone understanding.

"Yes." She answered softly, he could see through her guilt.

Gbadamosi held her chin up, "I'm sorry I let you sleep in your gown. I should have taken it off so you could be comfortable, but...well, that wasn't exactly how I envisioned unwrapping that particular parcel."He answered and she felt her cheeks heating up.

She busted out in laughter, "So, now I'm a parcel?"

He leaned closer, "Oh, I intend unwrapping it while you're watching," He said slowly, deliberately, his eyes twinkling. She bit her lip, suddenly aware of the warmth creeping through her veins. He saw her bite her lip, a gesture that sent a small thrill through him.